Fly on the wall? Pah! The wall is all the way over there! These days, viewers want to be flies buzzing right around the noses of the people making the headlines, close enough to tell what they had for breakfast. And thanks to true story TV dramas, they can.
It’s been a long time since ropey Lifetime Movies were as good as it got for true story TV. In recent years, British production companies have stepped up in a big way to serve a growing appetite for fact-based drama, but all too often the real-life TV dramas of today focus on haunting tales of history’s most gruesome murders. If you’re sick of serial killers, there are plenty of non-murder true stories to enjoy in drama form, from very public scandals to ordinary people doing extraordinary things, to the kinds of tragedies it’s important that we never forget.
It’s been a long time since ropey Lifetime Movies were as good as it got for true story TV. In recent years, British production companies have stepped up in a big way to serve a growing appetite for fact-based drama, but all too often the real-life TV dramas of today focus on haunting tales of history’s most gruesome murders. If you’re sick of serial killers, there are plenty of non-murder true stories to enjoy in drama form, from very public scandals to ordinary people doing extraordinary things, to the kinds of tragedies it’s important that we never forget.
- 8/12/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
The actor and writer on prepping to play famous people, the thrill of seeing Tom Cruise every day on Mission: Impossible, and his love of Naked Attraction
You have taken on the roles of Bamber Gascoigne, Malcolm McLaren, Peter Mandelson and Larry Grayson. How do you deliver believable portrayals of such well-known figures? VerulamiumParkRanger
I’ll start with the voice. Some are easier than others. I’ve just finished at the National Theatre, playing Sir John Gielgud, who sits very well in my voice. Larry Grayson was quite difficult. He’s deeper and rustier than you’d expect. The key to Malcolm McLaren was realising that he sounds like Larry the Lamb, strange and croaky. Mandelson has this underbite, which changes the shape of your face. The way he speaks is deliberate and laborious. Bamber Gascoigne is all about the glasses. I try to get glasses into any part. They’re very useful props.
You have taken on the roles of Bamber Gascoigne, Malcolm McLaren, Peter Mandelson and Larry Grayson. How do you deliver believable portrayals of such well-known figures? VerulamiumParkRanger
I’ll start with the voice. Some are easier than others. I’ve just finished at the National Theatre, playing Sir John Gielgud, who sits very well in my voice. Larry Grayson was quite difficult. He’s deeper and rustier than you’d expect. The key to Malcolm McLaren was realising that he sounds like Larry the Lamb, strange and croaky. Mandelson has this underbite, which changes the shape of your face. The way he speaks is deliberate and laborious. Bamber Gascoigne is all about the glasses. I try to get glasses into any part. They’re very useful props.
- 7/20/2023
- by As told to Rich Pelley
- The Guardian - Film News
Shortly before Christmas, the eminent British critic and broadcaster Matthew Sweet embarked on a sponsored, round-the-clock watch of a new DVD set of “Crossroads,” the dogged ITV soap that first ran between 1964 and 1988. The prevailing idea was that negotiating the boxset’s 700 episodes might be as arduous — perhaps even as deadly — as any cross-Channel swim or Himalayan hike; that impression was soon confirmed by Sweet’s running Twitter commentary, which vacillated between the amused, the bemused and the increasingly discombobulated.
A clumsily aspirational, shot-as-live serial set around a motel in the British Midlands — some distance removed from the working-class, Northern grit of ITV’s better known, Bob Dylan-approved “Coronation Street” — “Crossroads” became notorious for its combination of wobbly sets, inexplicable plot shanks and stretches of dead air deployed to trick out the U.K.’s yawning schedules. One argument goes it could only have been a ratings success in...
A clumsily aspirational, shot-as-live serial set around a motel in the British Midlands — some distance removed from the working-class, Northern grit of ITV’s better known, Bob Dylan-approved “Coronation Street” — “Crossroads” became notorious for its combination of wobbly sets, inexplicable plot shanks and stretches of dead air deployed to trick out the U.K.’s yawning schedules. One argument goes it could only have been a ratings success in...
- 2/3/2023
- by Mike McCahill
- Variety Film + TV
Warning: contains plot details
Watching Nolly will divide a generation: you’ll either be surprised you haven’t heard of her (even if she was ‘a bit before your time’), or even more surprised you’d somehow forgotten she ever existed.
She certainly seems instantly unforgettable, thanks in part to Helena Bonham Carter’s assured depiction of her full-throttle, take-life-by-the-horns character (infamous red dye job included), but also thanks to Nolly writer Russell T Davies’ very obvious affection for the real Noele Gordon.
Davies respectfully litters the series with references to her many underappreciated achievements in the television industry. If you do know Noele Gordon, you’ll most likely know her as a daytime TV stalwart who propped up the naff-but-beloved British soap Crossroads (even if she couldn’t prop up the show’s infamous wobbly scenery) as motel owner Meg for the best part of two decades.
But the reality,...
Watching Nolly will divide a generation: you’ll either be surprised you haven’t heard of her (even if she was ‘a bit before your time’), or even more surprised you’d somehow forgotten she ever existed.
She certainly seems instantly unforgettable, thanks in part to Helena Bonham Carter’s assured depiction of her full-throttle, take-life-by-the-horns character (infamous red dye job included), but also thanks to Nolly writer Russell T Davies’ very obvious affection for the real Noele Gordon.
Davies respectfully litters the series with references to her many underappreciated achievements in the television industry. If you do know Noele Gordon, you’ll most likely know her as a daytime TV stalwart who propped up the naff-but-beloved British soap Crossroads (even if she couldn’t prop up the show’s infamous wobbly scenery) as motel owner Meg for the best part of two decades.
But the reality,...
- 2/3/2023
- by Lauravickersgreen
- Den of Geek
The Morning Show star Augustus Prew and Sherlock’s Mark Gatiss have boarded Russell T Davies’ ITV drama Nolly starring Helena Bonham Carter.
A first-look image has been unveiled of Harry Potter star Carter playing Noele Gordon, nicknamed Nolly, the star of former British soap Crossroads who was one of the most famous people in Britain before being axed from the show without warning. With the boss’s words “all good things must come to an end” ringing in her ears, Noele found herself thrown out of the show that was her life for over 18 years.
Prew will play Tony Adams, Nolly’s Crossroads co-star, with Gatiss starring as entertainer Larry Grayson.
Others to have boarded include Richard Lintern (Young Wallander), Antonia Bernath (Downton Abbey), Clare Foster (The Crown), Chloe Harris (Sherwood) and Lloyd Griffith (Ted Lasso).
The show was the debut commission for It’s a Sin exec Nicola Shindler...
A first-look image has been unveiled of Harry Potter star Carter playing Noele Gordon, nicknamed Nolly, the star of former British soap Crossroads who was one of the most famous people in Britain before being axed from the show without warning. With the boss’s words “all good things must come to an end” ringing in her ears, Noele found herself thrown out of the show that was her life for over 18 years.
Prew will play Tony Adams, Nolly’s Crossroads co-star, with Gatiss starring as entertainer Larry Grayson.
Others to have boarded include Richard Lintern (Young Wallander), Antonia Bernath (Downton Abbey), Clare Foster (The Crown), Chloe Harris (Sherwood) and Lloyd Griffith (Ted Lasso).
The show was the debut commission for It’s a Sin exec Nicola Shindler...
- 6/1/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The name Alfie Curtis might not sound familiar to you right off the bat, but the actor is best known for playing the small role of Dr. Evazan in George Lucas' Star Wars: A New Hope. He has passed away at the age of 87.
Dr. Evazan is one of the first characters that Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi find themselves at odds within the Mos Eisley Cantina. He was the guy who threatened Luke with death and bragged to him about being so dangerous that he had a death sentence on 12 systems.
The character didn't have much screentime in the film, but the character's crazy backstory was explored in various books in the extended universe. If you're not familiar with that backstory, here's a brief rundown:
Doctor Cornelius Evazan was a human male from the planet Alsakan who was a promising cosmetic surgeon until he became gripped by madness...
Dr. Evazan is one of the first characters that Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi find themselves at odds within the Mos Eisley Cantina. He was the guy who threatened Luke with death and bragged to him about being so dangerous that he had a death sentence on 12 systems.
The character didn't have much screentime in the film, but the character's crazy backstory was explored in various books in the extended universe. If you're not familiar with that backstory, here's a brief rundown:
Doctor Cornelius Evazan was a human male from the planet Alsakan who was a promising cosmetic surgeon until he became gripped by madness...
- 12/27/2017
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Lisping, camp and effeminate … do gay men really talk in a certain way? One film-maker investigated the phenomenon – and came to terms with his own voice
There’s an old expression in the gay community about a macho-looking man who opens his mouth and “a purse falls out”. This sort of “looks Tarzan, sounds Jane” is particular to the gay male community where a high-pitched, lisping voice has been a huge part of the stereotype of what gay men were like ever since Charles Nelson Riley delivered saucy double entendres on The Match Game (or his UK equivalent Larry Grayson exclaimed “Shut that door!” on The Generation Game).
Usually this “gay voice” isn’t regarded as a positive, either by homophobes making fun of the lisp (usually accompanied by a wrist limper than day-old pasta) or the gay men who notice effeminate tones coming from the mouth of a potential suitor.
There’s an old expression in the gay community about a macho-looking man who opens his mouth and “a purse falls out”. This sort of “looks Tarzan, sounds Jane” is particular to the gay male community where a high-pitched, lisping voice has been a huge part of the stereotype of what gay men were like ever since Charles Nelson Riley delivered saucy double entendres on The Match Game (or his UK equivalent Larry Grayson exclaimed “Shut that door!” on The Generation Game).
Usually this “gay voice” isn’t regarded as a positive, either by homophobes making fun of the lisp (usually accompanied by a wrist limper than day-old pasta) or the gay men who notice effeminate tones coming from the mouth of a potential suitor.
- 7/10/2015
- by Brian Moylan
- The Guardian - Film News
It's sad news for Miranda Hart fans, as the actress and comedian revealed she won't be hosting a Generation Game reboot anytime soon.
While Hart revealed she had spoken to the BBC about the show, she said that the story "got massively blown out of order".
Speaking to BBC News about her negotiations with the broadcaster, Hart said: "It was literally an informal chat with the BBC.
"We talked about it and whether the format would work for a modern audience - but that is literally all it was, just a chat, nothing more."
Hart added: "It got massively blown out of order in the press and, no, we are not doing it right now."
The classic game show, which has previously been presented by the likes of Sir Bruce Forsyth, Larry Grayson and Jim Davidson, was reported to be returning last year.
The Miranda star was previously rumoured to...
While Hart revealed she had spoken to the BBC about the show, she said that the story "got massively blown out of order".
Speaking to BBC News about her negotiations with the broadcaster, Hart said: "It was literally an informal chat with the BBC.
"We talked about it and whether the format would work for a modern audience - but that is literally all it was, just a chat, nothing more."
Hart added: "It got massively blown out of order in the press and, no, we are not doing it right now."
The classic game show, which has previously been presented by the likes of Sir Bruce Forsyth, Larry Grayson and Jim Davidson, was reported to be returning last year.
The Miranda star was previously rumoured to...
- 5/27/2015
- Digital Spy
One of my happiest memories of TV as a child was the Stars In Their Eyes grand final night. The Matthew Kelly years of the show may look rather quaint in an era of spinning chairs, dancing celebrities and X Factor shoutiness, but it was actually ahead of its time as an entertainment format.
From turning Reg the butcher and Barbara from accounts into stars for five minutes, to public phone votes for the winner, it was in many ways a proto-Pop Idol and X Factor.
The key difference between Stars In Their Eyes and what followed was the complete absence of cynicism or profiteering. It probably helped Basil from Basingstoke raise a few more quid with his George Formby covers act, but there was never any pretense that the show would be life-changing.
Like most Saturday night shows in the pre-Popstars/Simon Cowell/Big Brother era, the heart...
From turning Reg the butcher and Barbara from accounts into stars for five minutes, to public phone votes for the winner, it was in many ways a proto-Pop Idol and X Factor.
The key difference between Stars In Their Eyes and what followed was the complete absence of cynicism or profiteering. It probably helped Basil from Basingstoke raise a few more quid with his George Formby covers act, but there was never any pretense that the show would be life-changing.
Like most Saturday night shows in the pre-Popstars/Simon Cowell/Big Brother era, the heart...
- 1/9/2015
- Digital Spy
Miranda Hart has downplayed rumours that she will host a rebooted version of The Generation Game for the BBC.
The classic game show, which has previously been presented by the likes of Sir Bruce Forsyth, Larry Grayson and Jim Davidson, was reported earlier today to be returning next year for the first time since 2002.
The Miranda star was rumoured to be in talks for the role earlier this year, and appeared on a one-off special of the show for Comic Relief in 2011.
BBC One controller Charlotte Moore told The Guardian: "It will be a modern reinvention of The Generation Game. Miranda will bring a very different flavour to it.
"Her wit and spirit behind it will naturally move it into the modern era. Miranda is brilliant at engaging with people, she loves that interaction. She'll be brilliant."
Moore added of the new Generation Game: "I promise you it won't be predictable.
The classic game show, which has previously been presented by the likes of Sir Bruce Forsyth, Larry Grayson and Jim Davidson, was reported earlier today to be returning next year for the first time since 2002.
The Miranda star was rumoured to be in talks for the role earlier this year, and appeared on a one-off special of the show for Comic Relief in 2011.
BBC One controller Charlotte Moore told The Guardian: "It will be a modern reinvention of The Generation Game. Miranda will bring a very different flavour to it.
"Her wit and spirit behind it will naturally move it into the modern era. Miranda is brilliant at engaging with people, she loves that interaction. She'll be brilliant."
Moore added of the new Generation Game: "I promise you it won't be predictable.
- 8/17/2014
- Digital Spy
Miranda Hart is to host a rebooted version of The Generation Game for the BBC.
The classic gameshow, which has previously been presented by the likes of Sir Bruce Forsyth, Larry Grayson and Jim Davidson, will return next year for the first time since 2002.
The Miranda star was rumoured to be in talks for the role earlier this year, and appeared on a one-off special of the show for Comic Relief in 2011.
BBC One controller Charlotte Moore told The Guardian: "It will be a modern reinvention of The Generation Game. Miranda will bring a very different flavour to it.
"Her wit and spirit behind it will naturally move it into the modern era. Miranda is brilliant at engaging with people, she loves that interaction. She'll be brilliant."
Moore added of the new Generation Game: "I promise you it won't be predictable.
"It will feel absolutely rooted in the present day.
The classic gameshow, which has previously been presented by the likes of Sir Bruce Forsyth, Larry Grayson and Jim Davidson, will return next year for the first time since 2002.
The Miranda star was rumoured to be in talks for the role earlier this year, and appeared on a one-off special of the show for Comic Relief in 2011.
BBC One controller Charlotte Moore told The Guardian: "It will be a modern reinvention of The Generation Game. Miranda will bring a very different flavour to it.
"Her wit and spirit behind it will naturally move it into the modern era. Miranda is brilliant at engaging with people, she loves that interaction. She'll be brilliant."
Moore added of the new Generation Game: "I promise you it won't be predictable.
"It will feel absolutely rooted in the present day.
- 8/17/2014
- Digital Spy
Miranda Hart is said to be in talks to host a revival of The Generation Game for the BBC.
The sitcom actress and comedian is tipped to follow in the footsteps of previous presenters Sir Bruce Forsyth, Larry Grayson and Jim Davidson in the reboot of the classic family programme, which originally launched in 1971.
The show - which last aired in 2002 - saw four teams, each consisting of two family members, compete against each other in a series of challenges in a bid to win prizes.
The BBC has confirmed that the revival is on the cards but insisted that nothing has been confirmed.
A spokesperson said: "It's in the early ideas stage at the moment. Nothing is confirmed and no series [is] planned."
Call The Midwife actress Hart revealed her love of The Generation Game when she interviewed Forsyth for BBC One special When Miranda Met Bruce last year.
"Bruce...
The sitcom actress and comedian is tipped to follow in the footsteps of previous presenters Sir Bruce Forsyth, Larry Grayson and Jim Davidson in the reboot of the classic family programme, which originally launched in 1971.
The show - which last aired in 2002 - saw four teams, each consisting of two family members, compete against each other in a series of challenges in a bid to win prizes.
The BBC has confirmed that the revival is on the cards but insisted that nothing has been confirmed.
A spokesperson said: "It's in the early ideas stage at the moment. Nothing is confirmed and no series [is] planned."
Call The Midwife actress Hart revealed her love of The Generation Game when she interviewed Forsyth for BBC One special When Miranda Met Bruce last year.
"Bruce...
- 4/20/2014
- Digital Spy
Feature Alex Westthorp 9 Apr 2014 - 07:00
In the next part of his series, Alex talks us through the film careers of the second and fourth Doctors, Patrick Troughton and Tom Baker...
Read Alex's retrospective on the film careers of William Hartnell and Jon Pertwee, here.
Like their fellow Time Lord actors, William Hartnell and Jon Pertwee, Patrick Troughton and Tom Baker also shared certain genres of film. Both appeared, before and after their time as the Doctor, in horror movies and both worked on Ray Harryhausen Sinbad films.
Patrick George Troughton was born in Mill Hill, London on March 25th 1920. He made his film debut aged 28 in the 1948 B-Movie The Escape. Troughton's was a very minor role. Among the better known cast was William Hartnell, though even Hartnell's role was small and the two didn't share any scenes together. From the late Forties, Troughton found more success on the small screen,...
In the next part of his series, Alex talks us through the film careers of the second and fourth Doctors, Patrick Troughton and Tom Baker...
Read Alex's retrospective on the film careers of William Hartnell and Jon Pertwee, here.
Like their fellow Time Lord actors, William Hartnell and Jon Pertwee, Patrick Troughton and Tom Baker also shared certain genres of film. Both appeared, before and after their time as the Doctor, in horror movies and both worked on Ray Harryhausen Sinbad films.
Patrick George Troughton was born in Mill Hill, London on March 25th 1920. He made his film debut aged 28 in the 1948 B-Movie The Escape. Troughton's was a very minor role. Among the better known cast was William Hartnell, though even Hartnell's role was small and the two didn't share any scenes together. From the late Forties, Troughton found more success on the small screen,...
- 4/8/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Jennifer Lawrence reprises her role as kick-ass Katniss in this slightly undernourished second sitting for the teen hit franchise
The Hunger Games are fraught with risk; the stakes are high and there's danger at every turn – and that's just the movie franchise.
Built around a Battle Royale style event in which teenagers fight each other to the death, the first instalment of this series last year made nearly three quarters of a billion dollars at the global box office. To put that into context: $300m more than the original Twilight movie.
The success came down partly to a peculiar alchemy which made the film and the book it derived from equally attractive to both adolescent boys and girls. As you'd expect, every effort has been made to maintain that magic in the sequel.
Part one finished with heroine Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, winning the Games but breaking the...
The Hunger Games are fraught with risk; the stakes are high and there's danger at every turn – and that's just the movie franchise.
Built around a Battle Royale style event in which teenagers fight each other to the death, the first instalment of this series last year made nearly three quarters of a billion dollars at the global box office. To put that into context: $300m more than the original Twilight movie.
The success came down partly to a peculiar alchemy which made the film and the book it derived from equally attractive to both adolescent boys and girls. As you'd expect, every effort has been made to maintain that magic in the sequel.
Part one finished with heroine Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, winning the Games but breaking the...
- 11/12/2013
- by Paul MacInnes
- The Guardian - Film News
BBC shows which have never been adapted for Australia or have long since disappeared from our screens could be re-activated under a new co-venture between FremantleMedia Australia (Fma) and BBC Worldwide Australia & New Zealand.
Among the formats that could emanate from the partnership are current BBC shows Mastermind, Bargain Hunt and Antiques Roadshow and, from the Beeb.s vaults, The Weakest Link, The Generation Game, Last Choir Standing and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
The deal also covers Dancing With the Stars if that show is commissioned by the Seven Network or another Australian broadcaster next year.
The multi-year agreement was announced by Ian Hogg, Fma Regional CEO Australia/Asia Pacific, and Jon Penn, Managing Director of BBC Worldwide Australia & New Zealand.
Explaining the rationale for the alliance, the Bbcw tells If,. .BBC Worldwide owns some great entertainment formats but we do not currently have the production expertise and resource...
Among the formats that could emanate from the partnership are current BBC shows Mastermind, Bargain Hunt and Antiques Roadshow and, from the Beeb.s vaults, The Weakest Link, The Generation Game, Last Choir Standing and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
The deal also covers Dancing With the Stars if that show is commissioned by the Seven Network or another Australian broadcaster next year.
The multi-year agreement was announced by Ian Hogg, Fma Regional CEO Australia/Asia Pacific, and Jon Penn, Managing Director of BBC Worldwide Australia & New Zealand.
Explaining the rationale for the alliance, the Bbcw tells If,. .BBC Worldwide owns some great entertainment formats but we do not currently have the production expertise and resource...
- 10/28/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
If you've ever seen the classic 1973 Christmas Special of The Goodies (called The Goodies And The Beanstalk), then you'll probably remember that bit at the end when the down and out trio come across an abandoned lamp in the street. As soon as they rub the lamp – bingo! A puff of smoke and then John Cleese in a turban. Cleese then bellows “Kids' Show!” after the Goodies tell him to clear off.
I suppose that some people regarded The Goodies as the crazy younger brother of the more adult Monty Python's Flying Circus – on the surface, with its speeded-up action sequences, giant kittens, Dougals and Zebedees, I suppose you could say it's a show that's targeted towards younger ones. But then how do you explain the satirical swipes at the Royals, advertising commercialism, talent shows or apartheid?
Which neatly brings me on to Doctor Who. I was wondering this the...
I suppose that some people regarded The Goodies as the crazy younger brother of the more adult Monty Python's Flying Circus – on the surface, with its speeded-up action sequences, giant kittens, Dougals and Zebedees, I suppose you could say it's a show that's targeted towards younger ones. But then how do you explain the satirical swipes at the Royals, advertising commercialism, talent shows or apartheid?
Which neatly brings me on to Doctor Who. I was wondering this the...
- 8/14/2012
- Shadowlocked
Johnny Robinson has revealed that he would love to bring The Generation Game back to TV. The popular long-running gameshow, which was hosted at various points by Bruce Forsyth, Larry Grayson and Jim Davidson, last aired in 2002, but the X Factor contestant told Digital Spy that he would be the ideal candidate to revive the franchise. "Maybe I could bring The Generation Game back," he said. "I'd be the Larry Grayson, 'Scores on the doors!' 'Cuddly toy!'" However, Robinson insisted that he was a "realist" when it came to his showbiz future, admitting that he would be returning to his bedsit tonight. "I'll (more)...
- 11/7/2011
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
In 1985, things were not looking so good for Doctor Who. The show was to be put on ice for 18 months in the wake of controversial storylines and supposedly poor viewing figures – all tosh of course, especially when you think that the programme was still pulling viewing figures of about seven million – a perfectly respectable number.
So The Doctor doesn't get to take Peri to Blackpool – well, on screen, at least. And unlike previous years, there were no more customary Who repeats in the summer to mollify the fans. 18 months, as I've said, isn't such a long time by today's standards, but back in 1985, you can understand why fans were weeping into their scarves. The crisis was so bad that the infamously bad 'Doctor In Distress' record was hastily assembled. The so-called supergroup of Who Cares actually comprised Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Nicholas Courtney and Anthony Ainley, along with Faith Brown,...
So The Doctor doesn't get to take Peri to Blackpool – well, on screen, at least. And unlike previous years, there were no more customary Who repeats in the summer to mollify the fans. 18 months, as I've said, isn't such a long time by today's standards, but back in 1985, you can understand why fans were weeping into their scarves. The crisis was so bad that the infamously bad 'Doctor In Distress' record was hastily assembled. The so-called supergroup of Who Cares actually comprised Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Nicholas Courtney and Anthony Ainley, along with Faith Brown,...
- 2/23/2011
- Shadowlocked
A giant frog with delusions of grandeur? Nope, you haven't stumbled upon an episode of Dangermouse in which our hero's arch enemy - and dead ringer for Ann Widdecombe - Baron Greenback is plotting revenge, but in fact an episode of Doctor Who called Four To Doomsday.
Sounds crazy? Well, you'd be right. But then only in the previous season, we had a talking cactus with designs on the world, so the term "silly" is neither here nor there. Even so, Four To Doomsday requires an awful lot of tolerance on the viewer's part when it comes to dramatic credibility.
Maybe the common link here is Terence Dudley, who, after directing 1980's Meglos, switched his hat to writing. It has to be said though that his contributions to Doctor Who can charitably be described as eccentric. Four To Doomsday gives the impression of a writer who hasn't seen Doctor Who much.
Sounds crazy? Well, you'd be right. But then only in the previous season, we had a talking cactus with designs on the world, so the term "silly" is neither here nor there. Even so, Four To Doomsday requires an awful lot of tolerance on the viewer's part when it comes to dramatic credibility.
Maybe the common link here is Terence Dudley, who, after directing 1980's Meglos, switched his hat to writing. It has to be said though that his contributions to Doctor Who can charitably be described as eccentric. Four To Doomsday gives the impression of a writer who hasn't seen Doctor Who much.
- 12/20/2010
- Shadowlocked
Remember when the Fourth Doctor was dismembered into several pieces on a giant floating bubble screen? Just suppose that as the camera zoomed in on the Doctor's screaming mouth, from out of nowhere, a badly Cso-d, disembodied Larry Grayson head popped up, urging viewers to tune into the brand new series of The Generation Game.
Now just suppose that Peri, fresh from auditioning for Right Said Fred, has apparently been blasted into oblivion by King Yrcanos. The Doctor is angrily determined to get to the truth when all of a sudden, Roland Rat bounds on to the screen shouting "Yeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!! Raaaat Faaaaans!! Tune into my crap show in two minutes time!!! Yeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!"
Ok, neither of those would have happened back in the day, but in 2010, anything goes, especially when faced with one of the Doctor's deadliest enemies.Yes, Graham Norton, who turned up in cartoon form to fingerpaint all over...
Now just suppose that Peri, fresh from auditioning for Right Said Fred, has apparently been blasted into oblivion by King Yrcanos. The Doctor is angrily determined to get to the truth when all of a sudden, Roland Rat bounds on to the screen shouting "Yeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!! Raaaat Faaaaans!! Tune into my crap show in two minutes time!!! Yeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!"
Ok, neither of those would have happened back in the day, but in 2010, anything goes, especially when faced with one of the Doctor's deadliest enemies.Yes, Graham Norton, who turned up in cartoon form to fingerpaint all over...
- 5/3/2010
- by admin@shadowlocked.com (John Bensalhia)
- Shadowlocked
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